Make Time To Talk TODAY!

FEBRUARY 11, 2019

Mental health problems affect one in four of us, yet lots of people are still afraid to talk about it.

Today is Time to Talk Day and Unite and other organisations are hoping to tackle the stifling silence and stigma attached to mental health, which doubles the pain and anguish for many. Time to Talk Day today is an initiative created by the campaign group Time to Change and the idea behind Time to Talk Day is simple – whether it’s having a chat with a friend who’s stressed or hosting an event about mental health at your workplace, it’s all about starting conversations that so often go completely unsaid. The aim is to break the silence and end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health.

is all about bringing people together to have a conversation about mental health. Whether that’s having a cup of tea with work colleagues, family and friends or a room full of people its about making time to talk and challenge mental health stigma.

Unite membership services administrator Nathan Darby, who is helping promote the initiative in the West Midlands region, said the issue is one that’s close to his heart after having struggled with anxiety himself.

“This initiative is vital from a trade union perspective because trade unions are in a prime position to have conversations about mental health,” Nathan explained. “This is not only because so many mental health problems are in fact caused by stress at work, but also because many workers can’t see their GP or a counsellor about their problems on a day-to-day basis. In this way, reps can play a vital role.”

However you do it, make sure you have a conversation about mental health today on Time to Talk Day. For more information about Nathan's Time to Talk Day please see UniteLive.You can also find out more information about Time to Change here.